Coimbra Region seeks funds to promote cycling and mobility services

The Portuguese Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community (CIM) recently submitted four applications to support the development of cycling infrastructure and mobility services in the region. CIM applied for funds from the Centre Region's Operational Programme, amounting to €13.6 million. The investment would aim to implement elements of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Action Plan (PAMUS) of the Coimbra Region, which promotes the implementation of a mobility strategy focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The projects for which CIM applied for funds focus on the creation of a Regional Cycling Network that interconnects urban areas, with the aim of complementing public transport and reinforcing the attractiveness of multimodality.

CIM, in collaboration with the municipalities involved, has worked over the past few months on these four intermunicipal projects. The requirements of the different stakeholders were collected and addressed. The region is now waiting for the approval of the funding for the projects, which are: 

• Mondego Bike Path: With a total investment of around €3.5 million and an implementation period of 18 months, this cycle path would extend over 44.2 km. It would link the existing rail network with the municipality of Montemor-o-Velho, as well as with Coimbra and Figueira da Foz, the two largest urban centres in the Region.
• Ecopista of the Old Figueira da Foz Railway Branch: Taking advantage of an important piece of infrastructure that has long been unused, the project would develop a cycle path on the route of the Old Figueira da Foz Railway Branch, which would be a 49.7 km extension connecting the municipalities of Figueira da Foz, Montemor-o-Velho, Cantanhede and Mealhada. The interconnection with the existing rail network will also be ensured to reinforce intermodality. The total investment for this path is around €4 million, and it would also take 18 months to implement.
• Eurovelo 1: This project was submitted in partnership with the Municipality of Figueira da Foz. It comprises the urban sections of the Eurovelo 1 cycle route in the municipalities of Figueira da Foz and Mira, as well as the construction of a bridge over the Mondego river. The total investment is around €4.6 million, with most of this allocated to the construction of the new bridge.
• Coimbra Region Intermodal Information Platform: This project would involve the implementation of an integrated platform for the management of all mobility services of the region, which are provided by existing operators, into a single customer information system. The total planned investment is €1.4 million, and it will also take 18 months to implement.

Original article published by Balkan Green Energy News on 1 February 2021